§ 32-43. Private wastewater disposal.

(a)

Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 32-42, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this section. No person shall construct a septic tank or other wastewater disposal facility without prior approval from the director of public works' office. The availability of sewer is defined in section 32-42 of this chapter.

(b)

Septic tanks shall be constructed, repaired, altered, enlarged and maintained in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the health officer.

(c)

No person shall construct, repair, alter or enlarge any septic tank unless he receives approval by the director of public works and shall hold a valid permit for the work issued by the health officer and a permit issued from the city.

(d)

The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private wastewater disposal system shall comply with all regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of Florida. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.

(e)

No septic tank or other subsurface disposal facility shall be installed where a public sewer is accessible to the premises involved.

(f)

When a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private wastewater disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer within three hundred sixty-five (365) days after notice. Any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private wastewater disposal facilities shall then be cleaned of sludge and filled with suitable materials.

(g)

The owner(s) shall operate and maintain the private wastewater disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

(h)

Every flush toilet shall be connected to a public sewer where available or to a septic tank. Flush toilets shall be provided at all times with sufficient running water under pressure to flush the toilet clean after each use.

(i)

No pit privy shall be installed.

(j)

Discharge of septic tanks into sewer system.

(1)

Restricted. It shall be unlawful to empty, dump, throw or otherwise discharge, into any manhole, catch basin or other opening, into the city sewer system, or any system connected with and discharging into the sewer system, the contents of any septic tank, sludge, sewage or other similar matter or material, except as provided as follows in the Permits subsection.

(2)

Permits. The director of public works is authorized to grant permits to discharge the contents of septic tanks (from domestic sources only) at locations specified by him and under his supervision. These permits may be revoked at any time, if in the determination of the director of public works, continued dumping of this matter into the sewers will be injurious to the sewer system or treatment processes.

(3)

Charges. A charge shall be made for the privilege of dumping contents of septic tanks, as provided in separate rules. A record shall be kept of these dumpings and statements shall be payable within ten (10) days after rendition. Failure to pay the charges within the ten-day period shall be cause for revoking the permit.

(k)

Any premises that has a septic tank, privy or any other private sewage, industrial waste, or liquid waste disposal system that does not function in a sanitary manner shall be corrected within thirty (30) days from the receipt of notification from the health officer that the system is not functioning in a sanitary manner, and order that the system be corrected.

(l)

Premises with private water systems shall not be connected with the public sewerage system unless approved by city council.

(m)

No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer.

(Ord. No. 2012-8016, § 1, 2-6-12)